Plebers: Thanks for the suggestions, but I have already decided on the casting. But you got two of them right.
YiteWrite and Jack oh Lantern: Alright, Jaune will be Cap. But you got to know Ultimate Steve is a huge departure from the original Kirby and Simon version.
Guest 1: I did have some trouble with the band of the hawk members, so thank you for the list.
Guest 2: Wow, a mean comment. I've been wondering when I'd receive one. Looks like I'm getting the full internet experience.
As the words left Tyrian's mouth the screen went black, marking the end of that viewing. "NO!" Yang yelled in anguish as she fell to her knees. ''I need to know what happens next.''
"Yang please," Blake whispered as she slowly shrank back in to her seat. ''Please stop you're embarrassing us.'' She could practically feel everyone staring at them.
''We'll comeback to that one.'' Cobalt said as he approached the screen.
''Eventually.'' Vermilion added. The butler in blue locked his sights on to the canvas switching on the screen once more, an image started to take form. "Now we leave the world of genetic pariahs to one of cybernetics." Ironwood perked up at the mention of cybernetics.
The cyborg ninja wielding the blade went up the flight of stairs reaching a series of screens each one showing various advertisements. Suddenly the man received a call ''Seriously now, Raiden, isn't this all a bit much? Any decent lunatic would've quit after Vacuo.''
''Jetstream Adam.'' Mercury hissed.
''Ah hell yeah, it's my turn.'' Mercury cheered as he leapt out of his. ''You losers had your time in the spotlight, but now is Mercury's time to shine.''
''You're a cyborg now?'' Emerald muttered
''What do you mean now?'' Mercury asked stopping mid celebration. ''I've been a cyborg for as long as you known me.''
''Does it really count?''
''Yes, it does.'' Mercury argued. ''If a robot hand makes someone a cyborg than my legs make me qualify.''
Yang paused for a moment to ponder over Mercury's word. So that makes her a cyborg as well, something good came out of her losing her arm after all.
''I heard you chopped the lab director in half. Old habits die hard, oh, Jack?'' Adam said But now here you are, the child soldier, fighting for the children. Ah, but you're a man on a mission, aren't you... Gonna fix everything. Just you and your little sword there. Solve everything with violence, is that it?''
''Sounds like something I'd do.'' Mercury said. ''If I used something as dumb as sword that is.''
Mercury's grip around his sword's hilt tightened as he raised his sword before pointing it at the projection of Adam. ''My sword is a means to an end: to protect those you'd prey on.''
''I'm stealing that.'' Ruby said.
''But I want it.'' Jaune whined
''Well I called dibs on it first.''
''You don't even use a sword.''
''Doesn't matter, it's mine now.''
''Give up Jaune.'' Weiss said with a resigned look on her face. ''Once she gets started she'll never stop.''
''I don't see what you two are on about.'' Blake said to her friend. ''It was pretty cheesy, why would you want it?''
''Really? Lemme ask you: All those cyborgs you've killed, up to now... Maybe they weren't kids, but they were people. You ever think about them? When you're chopping them into hamburger?''
''I'm glad we don't have to fight people," sighed Weiss before realizing who was also in the room. "Most of the time anyway.
"It's not that bad." Mercury shrugged before putting his arms behind his head as he leaned into his seat. ''Just look at me. I got used to it.''
''To be honest, it doesn't sit right by me.'' Emerald said.
Mercury seemed to pop up from his seat, slightly confused. "Wait, does killing people actually bother you?" he asked his voice full of genuine curiosity. She didn't say anything and he took her silence as confirmation. ''You didn't seem to care when we offed Tukson.''
This was the last straw for Weiss, she had grown tired of the indifference to death. ''You can't be serious,'' she scolded. ''How could you be so callous about murdering someone.''
Mercury's feature's scrunched up as he thought about, something. He then shook his head while shrugging ''I don't know, I just do.''
''It's not like I can go see a shrink or something, not in my line of work. I either let it get to me or don't bother thinking about it.''
''Don't bother with him Ms Schnee.'' Professor Port interrupted her before she could get another word in. "He's to far gone to care.''
For the briefest of moments Mercury seemed to be slightly uncertain. ''They're adults. They… made their choice.'' he said unconvincingly, his full of doubt.
Adam moved from one holographic sign to another as if he were walking around the square. ''Sure, they're adults. Sure they signed up for this. Right on the dotted line of their PMC contract.'' He raised his hand to stroke his goatee. ''Usually they're no strangers to war. In fact, many times they already lost a limb or two.''
''Many times they were out of work and starving on the street. So yes... They sign up for surgery, to fight God-knows-where. How else would you provide for your family when your country's embroiled in civil war? Pain receptors shut down, pumped full of fear-inhibiting nano-machines, and sent right into the blender... your blender… But they made their choice, right?''
''Their prosthetics seem pretty cool.'' Mercury said admiring the sleek design used on their legs. Far better than his old bone like prosthetics, these had almost normal looking synthetic muscles. ''Though I have a problem with the high heels.''
Unbeknownst to Mercury, he and Ironwood had similar feelings about their prosthetics. Because of their rather demanding, for lack of a better term, line of work. They had to settle for the more sturdy but crude models. James had grown tired of the coldness and smoothness of metal. The facsimile of normal parts that it was designed to resemble was more insulting than comforting.
''Open your eye and see, Raiden.'' Adam then gestured at his left eye.
''I've seen plenty.''
''Then listen. Those battlefield emotions that the nanos suppress... Listen to them.''
James stroked his beard, that sounded like a good idea. A chip to the brain to repress a soldier's emotion before being sent on the field, a soldier who is completely committed to their mission and won't be distracted by how they might fail. The perfect soldier.
''What are the ethics behind that?'' Oobleck asked the General.
''First time soldier won't hesitate to defend themselves on the field is beneficial.''
"So the person being controlled doesn't matter?" Oscar asked no one in particular. Though it was phrased as a question it came out as more of a statement.
''But on the other hand, you're taking they're humanity." James's trail of thought was instantly shaken. What was he thinking? If he did that he'd be no different from these monsters. He already had knights to handle these matters.
"As unfortunate as that may be, the results speak for themselves.'' ''Some times, we waste our mercy on those who don't deserve
''What are you talking about?''
''Shhhh...'' Adam shushed as he pointed behind Mercury. Two cyborg policemen showed, up armed with Stun rods. A policeman wearing aviator shades and a helmet on his head pointed a finger at him. ''There he is! Kill him!'' he shouted but his thoughts betrayed his true feelings. ''Can we take him?''
"I'd like to see him try," Mercury folded his arms across his chest. "I'll tear him apart."
"Such hubris often leads to failure," Salem interrupted, causing her inner circles , sans Tyrian to be on edge. "Don't you ever fall into such a mindset as long as you are in my service."
''What's wrong?'' A second mustached police officer asked Mercury as he carefully approached him. ''The way he killed all the others... Oh God. Please, God... don't let me die.''
"This... this is kind of messed up." Blake said while
"Morbid, I know."
''Consider yourselves fortunate you will not have to kill a mind controlled individual.'' Oobleck said, he refused to believe that someone yet he knew they existed. What kind of monster would do such a thing?
Salem's thoughts to the hound for some reason. She missed her pet.
Shades bolted at him and swung his baton, only for it to harmlessly bounce off of Mercury's sword. ''I have a family!'' The officer thought as he was pushed away. Mustache leapt attacked shortly afterwards. Mercury dodged by spun around, just in time to see Shades take a swing at him. He lifted his sword to block the strike, sparks flying as the two struggled for dominance. ''This isn't fair.'' The first policeman's thought. ''Little punk!''
But he still goes into battle. ''Let's do this!''
"Those things inside them, they're making them ignore all self preservation." Oscar stated. They just attacked without worrying about what it will do to them, all because they weren't in control.
A look of delight graced Salem's ashy face. The thought that these humans were willing to use the same tactics as her, just to make soldiers. It almost brought her to smile . The fact they did that without the use of magic and grimm pools amused, the progress of their technology was amazing.
''Listen closely now.'' Adam taunted, briefly taking Mercury out of the fight.
''Die!'' Mustache yelled as he thrust his rod at Mercury's head. Mercury broke of his stand off with Shades, leaping back to dodge a second attack. ''I didn't ask for this life!''
The second officer charged at him, his partner following shortly afterwards. Hearing their thoughts, he became overwhelmed by hesitation, and guilt. How many other breadwinners had killed, how many children were trying to take care of their parents, how many others tried to claw their way out of poverty only to be cut down by him?''I watched my wife and son die... This is all I had left.'' The second police officer said as he shuffled around. ''You ain't shit!''
''Goddamn IED took my legs. I needed a job!'' the first officer thought.
''Stop!'' Mercury yelled. Their words were finally getting to him. He screamed in agony and frustration.
''I didn't know what I was signing up for!'' the officer realised that Mercury wasn't even concentrating, seeing an opening he swung his baton striking him in the face sending him flying into the platform. Adam clapped at the display.
''Is something the matter, Raiden?'' Adam gibed.
''I've nearly saved enough to bring mama to the Atlas...''
''Finish him off!'' the second officer shouted as the began hitting the cyborg with their batons. ''Whatever it takes to be free of this torture!''
''STOP IT!'' Mercury screamed again. They were no different from him, they did terrible things, committed atrocities all because they had no choice. They had noother options but to become freaks of nature, having their brains ripped out of their skulls and put into these bodies.
''Oh what wimp.'' Mercury said as he rolled his eyes. Why did his counterpart have to be so whiny?
The cap wearing officer swung his baton at Mercury's head. Mercury caught the baton and pulled it out of his grip. He struggled back to his feet and stared down the two officers. The mustached one came first, time seemed to slow down around Mercury as he leveled his sword in front of himself. He cleaved at the officers neck, lopping his head off.
Shades reluctantly approached, cautiously eyeing Mercury's sword. His weapon surged with electricity before he bolted at the ninja.
''What am I even fighting for...? We finally make it to Atlas, and for this...? How the hell did I wind up like this, fighting for these guys...? Jesus Christ... What the hell was I thinking? Why would I do this to myself? Even moving to Atlas... Didn't change anything...''
Mercury slashed the officer in half and reluctantly picked up his nanopaste. Like always, The White Devil he's killed his opponents, made widows and orphans, but it was now getting very hard for him. What was he doing? He was exhausted and he had no motivation left.
''Cannibalism, a bit much," Tyrian seemed to critique. "but I'm pleased with the rest of the carnage."
He fell to his knee, he wanted to say it was out of exhaustion, but he knew that would be a lie. ''Raiden, are you injured?'' A canine like robot with a digital voice asked as it walked to his side.
Nora began vibrating in her seat before shaking Ren. ''A robot dog, it's a robot dog Ren.''
''I thought they had a choice. A fair choice. Not like you.''
''People are different.'' the A.I reasoned.
''As opposed to AIs? You're all the same, huh? You and your brothers. Manipulating mankind for our own good.''
''It appears my statement has upset you. I apologize.''
''No, it's... I know you're right.''
''As for AIs, we adapt as we learn.'' Blade wolf said. ''Just as any intellect operates, man or machine. Altering the course of mankind is not among my defined directives.''
''I guess that's a relief.''
''Discussing free will with a robot?'' Cinder mused to herself. The action seemed meaningless yet at the same time planted some interest in her.
A machine with free will. Ruby felt her chest tighten, she resisted the urge to slump over and start sobbing. She didn't want them to see her vulnerable, especially Salem.
''Adam's behavior does not match established parameters.''
''You know him?''
''Affirmative. We served together on three previous missions. He proved most capable.''
''You think highly of him.''
''I have always found him... dependable.'' The robot said as it struggled to come up with words. ''Until now.''
Blake found herself agreeing with the machine. Once upon a time Adam was the most reliable person she knew. Now he was just a stranger.
''I would have said predictable if not repetitive.'' Cinder said. It was always faunus this, humans that and on the rare occasion something something Blake.
''Scouting data for the next area. I'll patrol ahead. You follow…''
Raiden going to the World Marshal Building, but... he could barely moves his legs. He limped past the nearby mechs trying his best to sneak past them unseen. If there was ever a time he needed to call upon Snake's skills and teachings, now would be it. But he couldn't, the recent emotional shock has completely knocked him out. He noticed there more guards stationed around the compound's high walls. He reluctantly wobbled towards them ready to fight if need be.
''Raiden: Your current emotional state appears Highly volatile. I am sure you do not intend to abort the mission, but I suggest you avoid combat for the time being.''
Fortunately he managed to avoid getting into fight but in the building's compound itself there were three soldiers stationed near the gate.
''Those fuckers tricked me... They just told me what I wanted to hear...'' The soldier swung his cleaver at the ninja slashing his back. Mercury swung his sword weakly in a futile attempt at resistance. ''And when the war was over, they just threw me away... I didn't know it would be like this... I trusted them! Why did I trust them? Stupid! Stupid! I couldn't even help rebuild...''
A soldier kicked Mercury knocking him down. He looked at the building's enterance where Adam stood, waiting and watching.
''I know, Mercury, I know...'' Adam said as he walked out the building while slowly clapping his hands. ''Not so black and white now, is it? Is your cause just, or is that "just" what you tell yourself?''
''Fuck you.'' Mercury said from the floor. He may have been distress but he wasn't going without some kind of resistance.
''As far as clever comebacks go, that was shit."
''How pleased you are to chop away, Jack the Ripper.'' From the top of the World Marshal building a man with a slender yet muscular man. His body had red bands around his arms and legs. On his chest was a red 'X' and the word 'DESPERADO' written around his collar. ''My name is Monsoon Ren... of the Winds of Destruction.''
"The winds of destruction?"
''The captains of Desperado Enforcements' private military. They are all given code names relating to different winds." Cobalt explained. ''Their members are: Cardin Winchester as Khamsin, Sienna Khan as Mistral, Ren as Monsoon, Hazel as Sundowner and Adam as Minuano."
Hazel groaned as he held his head in his hand. "Why do I keep getting pulled into this?" He whispered to himself, first he was a child killer now he's a member of a mercenary group.
''Yeah... I guessed as much.'' Mercury said whimsically. The crazy chassis and codename were dead giveaways.
Ren's body began surging with purple electricity before he leapt off the building. As he fell his body began separating around where the red bands were located on his robotic body, slowing his descent and absorbing the impact of the landing while shattering the ground beneath him.
''So he's just a human sized slinky.'' Jaune mumbled to himself in confusion
''Isn't that just reductive?'' Ren replied. "He clearly has some electricity based abilities."
''The power of magnetism.'' ''On his face is an electromagnetic generator that keeps his segements connected.''
His body segments hovered briefly before returning to their default state, he cracked his neck and joints checking to see if they were still functional. Once he was certain they were still in order he began pacing around, continuing his speech. ''Feasting on the insides of your enemies. How easily you ignore the loss of life when it suits your convenience. So tell me: Who saves the weak from the man who saves the weak?''
''You're the ones exploiting them. You take advantage of their weakness... of course they get hurt when you set them up as your human shield.''
''Kill or be killed, Mercury. Kuroyuri taught me that.'' Monsoon said, his voice and body language were full of indifference, as he went back and forth. Meanwhile the soldiers standing on the sides and do all kinds of stuff. One crouched down to play with a stray kitten.
Nora's heart sunk at the mention of their hometown, and she had just gotten over the one their universe. Was it another Grimm or was it those cyborgs.
''Fifty years prior, there was a state sponsored massacre which resulted in the deaths of millions and their burial in a mass grave site known as the killing fields. Prior to that was a five year long civil war.''
''Ren like many who survived turned to a life of crime.'' Cobalt continued. ''Especially drug and human trafficking, that's how he ended up in the shoot out that destroyed most of his body.''
Kuroyuri just couldn't catch a break could it.
"So Ren was a bad guy before he became a Cyborg." Blake said in disbelief, she didn't know him that but the very Idea seemed wrong. "Kind of hard to believe."
"Not really." said Ren matter of factly. "All things considered, I expected to see an evil version of me at some point. When Jaune of all people is a crazy serial killer, it was a matter of time before another one of us appeared."
"Still hard to wrap my head around."
''Yes, you aren't the only one to grow up on the killing fields. War is a cruel parent, but an effective teacher.''
''Its final lesson is carved deep in my psyche: That this world, and all its people, are diseased.'' he said his voice full of passion and vigour. ''Free will is a myth. Religion is a joke. We are all pawns, controlled by something greater: Memes. The DNA of the soul.''
''Like the stuff on the internet?'' Yang blurted out.
"I think he means them in a more traditional sense." Ozcar tried to explain it in the simplest way he could think of. "An idea that represents the beliefs of a culture that we pass on through imitation. Think of it like an illness, you interact long enough with a carrier you end up catching it."
''They shape our will. They are the culture - they are everything we pass on. Expose someone to anger long enough, they will learn to hate. They become a carrier. Envy, greed, despair... All memes. All passed along.''
'So the hatred towards is faunus a meme?" Blake thought to herself. In fact alot of things could called memes. Does that mean we're influenced by those who came before and we've never had a single thought of our own? If that's the case what's the point of even trying.
''How about "full of shit"? Is that a meme?'' Mercury taunted.
''You can't fight nature, Mercury.'' Ren continued ignoring Mercury's remark. ''Wind blows, rain falls, and the strong prey upon the weak.'' he said as he pointed at Mercury. ''Adam tells me you see your weapon as a tool. Something that saves lives - a means of justice. Now there's a pretty meme. Exquisite!''
''It's spared you the burden of all the lives you've taken... Absolved you of guilt when you enjoyed it.'' Ren chuckled. ''That is, until the illusion was broken.''
''Don't be ashamed. It's only nature, running its course. You have no choices to make. Nothing to answer for.'' Ren reached for his belt, drawing his sai Destruction with a flourish . ''You can die with a clear conscience.''
"Finally, someone who understands." Tyrian said. He wasn't wrong for killing, he was born with a venomous stinger and by Salem he was going to use it, just as mother nature intended.
"That's bullshit!" Qrow swore. He had heard far too much of what was and what wasn't nature's plan. "That's just an excuse to avoid responsibility for all the crap he's done."
''You're right.'' Ren lowered his sai in confusion. ''About me, I mean. I know something was... off. After the Patriots, I thought I could walk off the battlefield and into a normal life. But here I am, surrounded by death, arguing philosophy with terrorists. I told myself this was about justice. About protecting the weak. But I was wrong.''
Ren mused over Mercury's word, before bursting into laughter. ''Then you admit it?''
''I learned young that killing your enemies felt good. Really good.'' No more running or hiding from who he really is.
His counterpart wasn't wrong, he did get some satisfaction from kicking people's asses but that didn't mean he liked it. So what if there was thrill in doing what he wants. He wasn't a psychopath like Tyrian, right?
''In Atlas, my friends... my family... They helped me forget the devil inside.'' his wife always had to remind him he was no monster, but he knew the truth. ''But who am I kidding? I was born to kill.'' He punched the reflection shattering the ground. Adam crossed his arms in amusement. ''The bit about my sword - that 'means of justice' stuff? I guess I needed something to keep 'the Ripper' in check when I was knee-deep in bodies.''
Mercury leaned forward. It seems he misjudged his counterpart, he wasn't a wimp after all. He felt Tyrian wrap his arm around his shoulder and pull him closer. ''Is that pride I see?''
"Get your hand off of me." He didn't want to admit it, especially if it meant agreeing with Tyrian but he was proud. He'd go as far as say he felt envious of the tin man. The thought of being in his shoes brought a smile to his face. He didn't even notice Emerald look at him with concern.
"Mercury, you're insane." In all honestly she should have seen it sooner.
''You...''
''But you - all this - is a wake-up call to what I really believe. What I really am.''
''What are you saying...?''
''I'm saying Jack is back.'' Mercury's remaining eye is turned red as it gleamed.
Monsoon took a step back, raising his hands and pointed at his subordinates. ''Kill him!'' Ren ordered the soldiers around him.
A soldier ran up to Raiden and stabbed him in the abdomen with his sword, however this didn't arouse a reaction from him. Instead, Mercury laughed maniacally leaving everyone in shock. Everyone except Adam who seemed to be excited by the events unfolding before him.
''I get that he has a mechanical body and all but why would he let himself be stabbed?'' wondered Oscar
''Intimidation, you have to spook them a bit before you go in for the kill.'' Tyrian explained.
''Doktor.'' Mercury said into his communication device. ''Turn off my pain inhibitors.''
''What? This... This is madness! You-'' Doktor argued over codec only to be interrupted by Mercury.
''Do it!''
''All right…'' Doktor reluctantly said as he pressed a few buttons. Mercury gripped his tight as pain surged through his body. Raiden embraces the piercing pain. He then grabbed the sword impaled his body.
''Pain… This is why I fight.'' He joyfully said as he pulled the sword out of his body, flooding the floor with his synthetic blood. Ever since he lost his body the little things like cramps and aches were things of the past, yet rather than enjoy it he missed those feelings. His exoskeleton began glowing with a bright red light surrounding him in a bloodlike aura. ''This is my normal. My nature.''
Qrow seemed to be bothered by something. ''If he can just switch of pain with a button flip, then how much of him is cybernetic?'' he asked.
"Other than his spinal column, his head is the organic part of him left.'' Cobalt stated. ''He doesn't even have a bottom Jaw.''
''So, I'm just a face and a brain? That sounds awful.''
''Meh, C'est la vie.'' Arthur Watts said with a shrug.
''You've lost your mind.'' Ren said in whatever it was he considered sympathy.
Monsoon nodded at the other soldier. The man dove for Mercury's sword, only for his hand to be pinned down by the sword he stabbed Mercury with. Mercury picked up his sword his right foot and stabbed one soldier behind him. While the man stumbled back, The Ripper pulled his sword, using the momentum to swing at another approaching Soldier. He bisected the two other soldiers with a single motion.
The soldier infront of him had just broken free. As he pulled back his hand, Mercury brought down his foot heel first. He swung the sword cutting man's arm off. He then put his sword up front pointing it at Ren. ''Who's next?'' he then pointed his weapon at Adam.
He knows his way around a sword, but how much of that is him and not the metal bits.''
''Think about it, if you can just mess with someone's emotions what's stop you from altering their memories. Something adding''
''I'll take this dance.'' Adam said as he reached for his sword and prepared to draw it. Part of it's crimson blade gleamed and crackled with red electricity.
Yang's hand moved to her prosthetic instinctively right before she mentally kicked herself. The sight of him put her on edge, despite her mind telling her that there was no way he could leap out the screen and come after her. She was still afraid of him and even more terrified of his sword.
''No, Adam.'' Ren said as he raised his hand stopping Adam before he could fully unsheathe his weapon. ''Report back to the chief. He's mine.''
''You're the boss.'' Adam shrugged before returning to the building while returning his sword to it's sheath.
''I've misjudged you.'' Ren said as he drew his Hi frequency Sai 'Dystopia'. ''You are like us after all.'' a smile graced his face.
''I never was much of a sai person but to each their own I guess.''
''Now you're just being nasty.'' Mercury said before cackling. ''That nickname you love so much - wanna know how I got it? Actually - why don't I give you a demonstration?''
''I think it's time for Jack... to let 'er rip!''
The two charged at each other and began slashing and thrusting with Mercury getting in a few good hits. Ren's left hand shot off as a fist, rocketing towards Mercury thrusting his Sai. The ripper parried the sai and charged at Ren. Ren's torso flew at him and rapidly jabbed his other Sai at his opponent. Their blades pinged of each crackling with electricity with every blow. ''Is that your best?'' Ren taunted
"Kick his ass Ren." Nora cheered earning strange looks from her team.
"Nora, that's the bad guy." Jaune tried to explain.
"I know, I just don't like the other guy."
Yang turned to look at her younger sister. "I think it's our duty as good friends to cheer Ren on."
The legs ran at Mercury and began kicking at the ninja. Mercury intercepted the kicks with his own before cartwheeling away from his attacker. Ren charged after jabbed his sai, each one missing as Mercury flipped away while cackling like a mad man. The thrill of fighting two deadly opponents filled him joy, dopamine flooded and rushed through his body.
''I'm impressed with this 'Monsoon' character.'' Professor Port said. ''The fact he is able to fight as two separate bodies speaks highly of his skill."
Mercury then charged at his opponent thrusting his sword forward at Ren only for it to get stuck in between the pieces of his chest. ''So this is Jack's terrifying true form, huh?'' Ren said as his grin returned to his face. How could he forget, Monsoon just like him was nothing more than just a head, Mercury smiled back.
"Not really, I'm just getting warmed up. I haven't been around for a while, going to take some time for me to be back at a hundred. In the meantime try to survive against me."
''Really now? Hope I get to see it.'' Ren released Mercury's sword from his chest before locking it with his sai. A simple twist of his Hi frequency weapon and Mercury's blade will split in two.
''Neat trick.'' Mercury flipped to the side as Monsoon tried to snap his blade, however the ninja keep spinning his hand knocking his sword out his hands disarming him. The blade landed a good distance away from lodging in the ground.
''Magnetic force, Mercury. Nature's power.''
''No weapon, what are you going to do now, Jack the ripper?'' He was immediately silenced when Mercury grabbed him by the face and slammed him into the ground. He then straddled the ninja and began slashing at his face with his claws. As Mercury brought down his fist Ren's head rolled away at the last second leaving him to shatter the ground where his head once was. His body followed afterwards reforming under his head.
"Would you look at that, someone who isn't overly dependent on their weapon." Qrow said while giving Ruby a side glance.
"Hey, I'm getting around that."
"Took you too long ."
Ren reached for two of the canisters in his utility belt. ''Guess I was wrong. I hear you were quite the smoker, here have a smoke.'' He then threw them at Raiden releasing a white gas enveloping Mercury in a thick cloud that and Monsoon vanished into it. Mercury activated his visor's augmented reality mode to try and track down Ren, however the seemed to be something interfering with Mercury's sensors.
''Red phosphorus, no point using infrared.'' Ren said from inside the in the gas cloud.
Mercury began chuckling, first impressions weren't everything after all. ''Red phosphorus? Didn't take you for a coward.''
''I prefer the term, cautious.'' Ren tried to explain. ''There is nothing cowardly about an ambush.''
''I would have kept swinging, I'd hit him eventually.'' Nora said.
''Not all of us are as... tenacious as you are.''
''You mean reckless right?''
''I'm not, but I'm not above guerilla tactics.'' Ren replied as he leapt from the cloud, The Ripper raised his sword and prepared to attack only for Ren to weave past the attack and into the cloud. Mercury tried to listen to the sound of his footsteps but the rain muffled most of the sounds, making them hard to follow. ''Death approaches.'' Ren said from behind Mercury's position. When Mercury turned to face him there was no one there.
''Who knows where I'll come from.''
Ren pounced at Mercury who rolled out of the way at the last second before delivering a mule kick at the ninja knocking him back into the cloud. He leapt out again only to be caught by Mercury and thrown back in to the gas cloud again.
Ren managed to slow himself down, reducing the force he slammed into the wall at. The ninja slowly struggled back to his feet before chuckling. ''I underestimated you Mr Ripper.'' He the leapt high into air landing on top of a nearby wall. The generator on his face began surging with electricity as he raised his arm lifting up several military aircraft. ''This one is on me.''
The ninja threw the helicopter at Mercury who dash out of the way before it could crash into him. He managed to grab his sword and put it back in his sheath along the way. ''Too fast for that huh? Left hand rule!'' Three more helicopters floated over Ren's head.
The ripper drew his sword and waited for the vehicles to fly at him. Ren brought down his hand sending the choppers at him.
A horizontal slash, a vertical slash then another horizontal slash left all the helicopters bisected. The nano-paste in the helicopter scattered all over the place. Ren leapt from his perch and began absorbing the paste in to his body letting the nano-machines do their job and repair his body.
Cinder's jaw hung agape at the sight. ''How is that even possible?'' she gasped ''Those things were far longer than his sword yet he perfectly bisected them."
Cobalt ptoduced a chalkboard with a diagram of Mercury's sword. "High frequency blades." he stated as he pointed at the image. "An alternating current causes the blade to oscillate rapidly, these vibrations weaken molecular bonds allowing it to cut throu-"
"The sword vibrates and this makes it cut better." Vermilion interrupted. "We'll leave it at that."
The ninja stretched out his leg allowing him to sweep it across the plaza. Mercury rolled under the kick before grabbing the leg as Ren pulled it back. He swung his sword at Ren's waist only for his torso to split from his lower half. The sword was swung upwards only for Ren to segment his chest, letting the blade harmlessly pass through his body. "Are you even trying to hit me?"
''Okay that's just cheating.'' Mercury whinning.
The ripper rapidly swung his sword Ren's body segmenting each time. Mercury continued to slash till he accidentally hit Ren's generator causing his body to fall apart. Seeing an opportunity Mercury began rapidly slashing at the generator hoping to permanently damage it.
Electricity began surging around Ren's body segments. They hovered off the ground and began pelting Mercury. The body reformed and tackled Mercury and repeatedly stabbed Mercury's chassis. ''Does it hurt?'' he asked before getting up and removing the blood from his sai.
''Why did you stop?'' Mercury asked. ''I was having so much fun.'' Ren sprang away from his chest, making some distance between the two of them. He began spinning his sai around as he charged them with electricity.
After a moment the magnetic ninja smirked, "I'm amazed Jack the Ripper, I knew you had a taste for death but I didn't know your hunger was this great. Your mannerisms have changed completely, I'd go as far as say your a different person all together."
Mercury did a kick flip as he got back to his feet. "I didn't change, I've always been like this." He stuck his hand to feel the gentle droplets as they pelted his metal chassis. "I believed them when they said time heals all, that like the rain it washed away all the bloodstains. I let that get to me, I had a son and got married. Despite that I never changed, I'm still the white devil, hacking and slashing all to pieces." He then pointed his sword at Ren. "You're just my next victim."
''Who'd marry you, let alone have your kid?" Emerald asked Mercury who shrugged.
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Ren charged at Mercury, as he swung his sword Ren slid under it before kicking Mercury upwards. He then followed the ninja by leaping into the air after him.
The sword was caught on a groove in Mercury's leg, he began swinging around, kicking Ren faster than his body could segment itself. One kick was aimed at Ren's head hitting and temporarily deactivating his generator again. Ren caught his head before it could fall off giving Mercury a clear opening to attack unhindered.
Mercury smirked at the clever use of the sword. His counterpart was more comfortable without a sword but was able to fit it into his fighting style. He had long considered adding blades to Talaria and this gave him an idea on how to do it.
"I hope you choke." Ren said as he dropped a cannister of Red phosphorus. Under the gas's cover he escaped by leaping onto a nearby coloumn. After reattaching his head his body began charging up with more magnetic power. Nearby military vehicles clumped together forming a giant disc of jagged scrap metal. "Welcome to my utopia of death!"
''Overkill! I love it!'' Nora said, after all why use a flyswatter when a grenade can do the job better.
''Lorentz force! Go!'' The giant wheel caught on fire before it was thrown at Mercury. Mercury rolled to side dodging the wheel, only for him to see it change direction. The wheel rolled at him chasing him around the courtyard.
Mercury fled toward the walls before coming to a halt. As the wheel barreled at him Mercury rolled away causing it to slam against the wall before exploding. Ren raised reforming the wheel and threw it at Mercury once more.
Having had enough of being chased, Mercury shifted on his heels and got down into a batting position. When the wheel was close enough he swung the sword, striking the wheel with blunt side of his sword and returning it to Ren. The wheel exploding as it made contact.
"Oh come on!" Nora exclaimed furiously. "Ren had him and he just pulls that out of his ass?"
Ren slumped over, the explosion and burning scrap having debilitated him, but his grip on the building did not wane. With a heavy grunt, he hoisted himself back up. He didn't have enough power to keep his generator on so his next attack will have to be his last. His hand reached out to a marble obelisk nearby, tearing the structure from the ground and levitating it in front of him. "Now what will you do, Jack the Ripper?"
"That's definitely way more than I can lift." Pyrrha said impressed by the display. "He's got to be the most powerful magnet out there."
"Hardly," Vermilion said appearing before her, snapping Pyrrha out of her trail of thought. "The 'Master of magnetism' is far more powerful, capable of moving worlds." he finished before leaving Pyrrha with a smile that left her feeling uneasy.
Before the man could walk further she grabbed him by the wrist. "How did-"
"How did I know what you were going to say?" he asked taking the words out of her mouth. "Let's just your private thoughts aren't as private as you think."
"Brother, aren't you revealing far too much."
"Relax," he said as he removed Cobalt's arm from his shoulder. "They're not bright enough to put one and two together."
He was trapped, cornered with nowhere to run as a giant monument was pointed at him. Trying to go around or under it was suicide. That left above it. "You're dead!" Ren yelled as he brought his arm down and threw the pillar.
Mercury leapt on the monument and ran across. Out of desperation Ren threw a military vehicle at Mercury, but it couldn't stop the ninja. He tore through the debris as if it were made from wet tissue paper. Monsoon pounced at Mercury.
Mercury kicked the Ninja in the chest pinning him against the wall. He then began pummeling him by repeatedly stomping on Ren's chest. Each blow damaging Ren more than his nanopaste could manage to repair, resisting was hopeless, dying was the only outcome that awaited him. ''No.''
"Once again kicking the daylights out of something saved me."
''No, Stop it. STOP IT!'' Ren begged as he attempted to escape his fate. His pleas fell on deaf ears as Mercury decapitated him. He didn't stop there he continued to hack and slash at his head reducing it to chunks.
They all stared at the screen, until a slow clap was heard. The slow clap then turned fast and loud followed by sniffles. The source of this? None other than Tyrian Callows.
''So this is who Jack the Ripper truly is?'' He said in amazement. ''The man who brings fear to the hearts of nihilists, men without fear.''
''Do you have to act like that?'' Mercury groaned. Why did he have to be next to the wack job.
''I'm just an artist appreciating another master's work. I'd expect you to understand that.''
Mercury rolled his eyes before giving Tyrian a scowl. ''We're not doing this again.''
''Listen here Quicksilver, we're both peas in an anarchic pod. We live for the thrill, and for the kill.''
''Hey Red, can I switch with you or your bimbo sister.''
''Let him squirm, Ruby.'' Yang hissed, no one calls her a bimbo and get's away. Let the psycho shower him with all the praise.
Tyrian ruffled his hair. "Don't be shy my little prodigy."
''Kill… or be killed'' Ren's remaining chunks struggled to say in between grunts.
''Don't be ashamed. It's only nature, running its course.'' Mercury taunted. ''Your memes... end here.''
''No, I passed one... to you... Sure as the sun… will rise... The slaughter... will continue... Now I return... to the earth... Wind blows, rain falls… the strong... prey... on the weak. All... is as it should... be...''
''Do you fear Death?''
''Do you fear it's warm embrace.''
